For a Steal.

The Steele Maiden: For a Steal

(Threadsence Necklace; J.Crew Factory T-Shirt; Madewell Skirt; Anthropologie Heels)
Everything you’re looking at above is on sale.  Like, seriously deep discount type of sale (in fact the head to toe outfit rings in under $150 total).   Just another reason to love the middle of summer?  I’m always on the lookout for basics I’ll get tons of use out of like a great solid skirt or classic tissue thin t-shirt, as well as standout accessories like necklaces that add a little edge and heels that make the whole outfit.  I’ve got plans to hit the beach, try a fun new dessert place in West LA, and maybe indulge in a few margaritas this weekend.  And, who am I kidding, maybe a few sales.  Happy Friday!


DIY Paint Dipped Planters.

The Steele Maiden: Make Do - DIY Paint Dipped Planters


Looking for a way to spruce up your space in 10 minutes with only $10?  Of course you are.  So here’s just the thing…


After spying some gold dipped dishes by Nate Berkus for Target, I knew I wanted add a touch of it to my own home.  And since I’ve been itching to get these mini succulents ever since I moved to California- I figured the two were a perfect match.  $10 worth of supplies (the succulents from Home Depot, the pots and paint from Michael’s) and literally only about 10 minutes later – and there you have it.  

The Steele Maiden: Make Do - DIY Paint Dipped Planters

The Steele Maiden: Make Do - DIY Paint Dipped Planters

The Steele Maiden: Make Do - DIY Paint Dipped Planters



Shape Shifter (part two).

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part two(Vintage Scarf; H&M Sunglasses – similar here; Tulle Dress (available Fall 2013) similar here and here; Vintage Bag; Steve Madden Wedges – similar here)

While I spent yesterday testing out the shape of a cropped top and high waisted shorts, today I’m shifting silhouettes to try out another new shape…


Shift dresses are not in my usual repertoire.  Somewhere about 5 years back I came to realize that despite whatever was trendy at the given moment, I needed to stay true to what worked best for my body type and my style (which generally equates to a silhouette that doesn’t hide my legs or my natural waist).  So, shift dresses didn’t make the cut.  But in the sake of fashion, I decided to give them a go.  What I found was that, if I still showed plenty of leg, balanced out the swingy shape with a sturdy shoe, and stuck to a single bold color (while some people can pull off patterned shift dresses with aplomb I found the simplicity here to be flattering) – I kind of loved the shape.  And – in stark contrast with yesterday’s post – I could hide having just eaten a fairly large lunch.  

And since I started in on my summer in the ’60’s theme from a younger point of view – this time I took things in a slightly more grown up direction.  Because if I was a young woman in the 60’s with enough mad money in my purse for a tank of gas, I’d have the desire to hit the great American highway for a road trip, stopping in at a pretty authentic looking motel along the way.  In fact, I think I still am that young woman.      

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part two

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part two

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part two

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part two

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part two

Shape Shifter (part one).

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part one(Anthropologie Cropped Top – similar here; Forever 21 High Waisted Shorts – cute option here)

What I love most about a great magazine article or blog post is when it allows you to see something in a new way.  How it can show you, in just a few glossy pictures, that you too can pull off that silhouette you had never before considered with just a few deft styling tricks.  There are silhouettes that as a rule I do not do.  Crop tops with high waisted shorts and shift dresses are among them.  But, the point of my having this blog is to break the rules, explore new paths, and take a few stylish risks along the way.  So over the next couple of days I’m going to be shifting the shape of my usual silhouette – and having a bit of fun with it as I go…

When I decided I wanted to try out these new looks I also decided I wanted to put a spin on them and because of the somewhat retro feel of both of these silhouettes I took things back to summertime in the 1960’s.  For the first look (mainly because I couldn’t quite bring myself to walk down the sidewalk in this outfit), I played up the feeling of summer vacation and the slight boredom that always creeps into that (if I were an 18 year old girl stuck at home all summer in the ’60’s I’d try on lipstick and listen to my favorite records on repeat – wouldn’t you?).  


Come back tomorrow where my new summer silhouette focuses on shift dresses and I hit the road for a retro getaway…

The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part oneThe Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part one

  The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part one


The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part one
The Steele Maiden: Shape Shifter - part one

Go Flamingo.

Is it just me or does the middle of Summer make you want to go really bold?  Like Palm Springs in the heat of summer with a touch of kitsch bold?  And when it comes to making a statement, I figure what better source of inspiration than flamingoes…
Here a few affordable options to pulling off the look of that bold bird:

1. Nest: This print would look great in a guest bathroom, or tossed into the mix among a gallery wall with a few other graphic typography pieces, and maybe a black and white landscape.  Either way, it’s a simple pop that will brighten up your space on a budget.  

2. Dressed: These black and white grid printed heels are just plain fun.  I’d pair them with a brightly colored solid silk shift dress (maybe fuchsia?) and legs for days.  Wear your hair in a top knot and gold button earrings.

3. The Rest: For flamingoes – aside from their vivid hue – it’s all about the beak.  Take a hint and swipe on the brightest fuchsia lipstick you can find (this Make Up Forever version lasts particularly well), because if you can’t in the middle of Summer, then when?